I REMEMBER
I remember a war oh so far away
As if it was just yesterday
I remember the times and places
But not the names or the faces
I remember when you ate a meal
How it made you feel
I remember working at night
To avoid the fright
I remember the EVAC hospital being as active as a pair of bee hives
And the loss of so many lives
I remember the company clown who took his life
Because another man took his wife
I remember the incoming mortars and rockets
And the men who had pictures in little lockets
I remember when we moved, at the airfield for seven days I was stuck
With nowhere to sleep but under the truck
I remember the very young girl that I had to kill
And I always will
I remember the days and days of rain
But can remember nothing that will ease the pain
I remember the drinking to forget
And wish now that drinking would make me forget
I remember hearing the freedom birds as they came and went every day
And on the day my turn came, feeling as though I was running away
I remember all the men I left there, that I considered to be friends of mine
And hoping they would be fine
I remember the good times and the bad
And that over there was the last breath many a man had
I remember going and looking into the gates of HELL
And hoping everything will be well
I remember how I was before I went there
But to be like that again there is no prayer
I remember, I remember, I remember
But how I wish I could forget what I remember
Larry R. Southerland 2000 (sp5)
LOST YOUTH
Most of us were still kids when we went over there
On our chest we didn't even have a hair
We grew into men over night
After all we had to kill and fight
Over there our anger did thrive
After all we wanted to survive
The ways of these people were not the same as ours
For this reason we watched them in amazement for many hours
For those that over there did die
We often cry
A lot of our lives have ended in disgust
Because of things we could not discuss
When people ask why I act so weird and uncouth
I tell them I'm only trying to find my lost youth
Larry R. Southerland 2008
Vietnam War
For those that said it was not a war
Let them try to convince those who's friends or family member lives no more
The cowards said I will not go, others went because they were told to go
Then others like me said I'll go
First we were taught to kill
And this leaves many of us ill
Though we lost our souls in Vietnam
No one gives a damn
We thought we were old and bold
But really we were just doing what we were told
Yes we were all scared
But this small country's fate must be shared
I've been told by many, after this long they don't see how it can still hurt
But they are not the ones who saw others laying in the dirt
I've been told by doctors and others alike, take a pill and you'll get well
But they are not the ones who went inside the gates of HELL
When the President gave the ones who left the country a reprieve
I sat in disgust, this I could not believe
Yes it was a war, regardless of what others called it
Because we have the dead and scars to prove it
Larry R. Southerland 2000
Why a Wall
All gave some, some gave all
But the names of all that gave it all, are not on the wall
There were many who were killed in Vietnam, but there they didnot die
Sent home to live, they must try
For some it was short, for others it was long
And now for many more of us it will not be long
For those who have suffered through it all
Shouldn't their names also be on a wall
Those who gave it all
Recieved God's very early call
When we all recieve God's call
We will all meet up and greet each other,and together we will stand tall, for in this war we gave it our all
For those that served who's name is not on the wall
Though time may make it difficult, remember in this war you to gave it your all, so stand TALL
The wall is a monument to all
So if you visit it, in front of it stand proud and tall
Remember this wall was built to honor us all
Not just the ones who gave it all
Larry R. Southerland 2008
A War Zone
Over there we had to kill
Out of this we got no thrill
We had the need to survive
On this we did thrive
We developed a common bond
As of each other we grew rather fond
We would risk our lives without a hesitation to save another
As we considered each, as our sisters and brothers
With each other many a good memory was made
Too bad that there were sad ones also made
We learned the true meaning of life and death
It's a shame to others this knowledge we cannot bequest
From each other much we did learn
As to know how to survive we did yearn
As we left this place we called Hell
We wished the ones we left behind well
Larry R Southerland 2008
LOST HOPE
I've lost all hope
I can no longer cope
I'd just like to die
But I'm afraid to try
I can't stand it any more
I have noone to care for
I'm all alone
Everyone I cared for is gone
With noone needing me to depend on
There is no reason to go on
It gets more unbearable every day
It does not even seem to help when I pray
I was always trying to make up for the atrocities I did in war
And this I can do no more
All I ever wanted to do, was to others make life better and give it a meaning
I never knew I would do anything so demeaning
I know I often acted like a clown, to keep them from having a frown
All I know to say is, I'm sorry, to the ones I let down
Afraid of everything all my life
Now the thing I'm most afraid of, is life
I know death is near and it is the only thing in life I no longer fear
At least there is noone it will hurt that loved me dear
I just hope when I die, I can remember the good things I did and not the bad
As this would forever leave me sad
Larry R. Southerland 2000
KID'S NEEDS
What kids often need is not that much
Just someone with a gentle touch
They often think everything they do is wrong
For often we lecture way too long
They think nothing ever goes right
Because we never tell them when they do right
We as parents and adults should help them, in their life find out what is missing
Then maybe so many in the night would not come up missing
To them life is an uphill tug
See what a difference is made with a simple hug
To them life is tuff
They don't want to hear about our troubles and that type stuff
In front of them do not fuss and fight
As for in life they will see nothing better in sight
To them some freedom you must give
Through them your life do not try to relive
Often they just need a friend
To help them mend
They don't want us to worry about what they wear
So please don't stare
In front of their friends, them do not cause embarasment
As to them, this is the worst kind of harasment
To sit down and have a simple meal
To them is often a big deal
When they do something wrong and stupid
We should remember, when we did it, it was just as wrong and stupid
When they want to sit and talk, do not act as their life is a bore
And this they will adore
When we tell them no
We should give them a reason, so they will know,why we said no
They should be told, often we will not agree
That there are differences in you and me
No one is perfect, this do not forget
And when something happens, do not say things you will later regret
Early on in life about many things they must be told
This may keep them from being too bold
They should early on be told about sex and deases
And how in life it can bring them to their knees
Just remember most , what they care
Is that about them, WE CARE
Larry R. Southerland 2008
Your Guardian Angel
Walks with you, but leaves no footprint in the sand
And when you need it, will hold your hand
Helps you not to do things when you are mad
That would latter make you sad
Helps you when you talk
So at your comments others will not baulk
Helps you when you're sad
So things will not be so bad
Helps to ease the pain
When you feel like you've been run over by a train
Watches over you when you dream
So the dreams, will not make you awaken with a scream
Helps you in yourself, see your faults
So you will not judge others by their faults
Helps you to live life to it's fullest
Even during the times when it's at it's dullest
But even with all this, will let you get wet when it rains
After all, she is not there to replace your brains
Larry R. Southerland 10/12/02
CAN IT BE REAL
Here it is the middle of the night
I've awaken in such a fright
I fill as though someone was shaking me
But there's noone here, so that cannot be
Then I hear a voice that was once dear to me
But him it cannot be
But then as my eyes adjust to the dim light
It's him in plain sight
I'm sorry to awaken you my friend
But your time will soon come to an end
It may be a day or even a week
I wanted to let you know, you will then find the peace your mind does seek
I wanted to let you know, it will be painless, there is no need to fear
And that all your friends will then be near
We know you have missed us
And you have been missed by us
Here you will not be judged for the things you have done
And once again you'll be able to have some fun
So as your last days go by, do not dread
As it's not that bad to be dead
We'll all be waiting for you, now I must go
This I just wanted you to know
Then I set up in the bed fully awake
Could this have all be a dream, did my mind make another mistake
Larry R. Southerland 2008
The end of a soldier's life
In a far away country a soldier died today, for him there will be no tomorrow
For his friends and family there will be much pain and sorrow
Here at home a soldier died today, for him there will be no tomorrow
He had no friends or family, so for him there will be no sorrow
He had P.T.S.D. and had fallen through the crack
All his belongings he kept in a sack
He had lost all his self pride
And this he could not hide
He lived on the street
Because his illness, had handed him defeat
He had served his country and was very proud
Untill the voices became to loud
He did not understand the problems he had
Or why he was always sad
He would awaken often in the night
Because his dreams about the war still gave him such fright
He only knew he wished he was dead
As life he did dread
He knew he did not enjoy his life
So much he took his own life
The saddiest of all things is we as a country , had let him down
About this not even one of us has on a frown
How many more this fate must share?
Before we start to care?
Larry R. Southerland 5/18/08
The Other Side
When we meet again on the other side
We will rejoice, and again be able to walk with a great stride
For those of us who had been in great pain
There will no longer be any pain
The friends and family we have missed for so long
We will be able to join in a song
The bad memories and experiences we had in the past
Will be gone at last
There will be no pain or sorrow
And we will not even have to worry about tomorrow
We will remember our friends and family that are still alive
And be waiting for them, when they do arrive
We will hope that no one suffered too much in our passing
As for here we know peace will be forever lasting
So to those left behind, we say to one and all
Do not try to rush your time to join us, you will soon enough get the come home call
Copyrighted Larry R. Southerland 6/13/08
I'll Never Leave Your Side
As you stand by my grave side
I'm still standing by your side
Through no choice of my own, I am gone
And you're left all alone
As the Angel of death did appear
She made me know there was no need for fear
She held my hand during my passing
And assured me from this point on life would be ever lasting
I entered a tunnel of bright white light
When I reached the other end, God met me with all his might
Here there is no lower, middle or upper class, nor is there a difference in race
Everyone is the same, in this Heavenly place
So remember this, I may no longer be on earth by your side
But from here I will watch over you with great pride
Remember me as you may
And that together again, we will be one day
Copyrighted Larry R. Southerland 6/18/08
Dreams
I know there is something after me
What it is I can not see
I run, I hide, I dodge
But from my trail this thing I can not dislodge
It stays just out of sight
I can not get away from it, try as I might
I can not let it win
I know if it does, I'll never function again
I will keep on running
For I know this thing is very cunning
Then as I awake completely out of breath
I know this thing is what they call death
Copyrighted Larry R. Southerland 6/26/08
Is It Luck
Just my luck
I've wrecked my truck
I did not mean to stare
It's just she had so much that was bare
I think if it had not been for her long brown hair
You would have seen her pair
Her legs went from the ground up and back down again
Why did she have to show so much skin
She walked with a wiggle
And had such a funny giggle
She was oh so little
And oh so tiny around the middle
I guess with women that look like her around
I'll have to walk around looking at the ground
I may have to start wearing blinders like a horse
Or I'll end up in a divorce
Copyrighted Larry R. Southerland 6/27/08
Living with P.T.S.D.
Is done by thousands even me
They say there is no cure
And after all these years of this I am sure
Most days I am oh so sad
I cannot even function on some days, because it’s so bad
The things I have seen and done I cannot discuss
As there is no one that I trust
To keep the memories hidden from my mind, I became a workaholic
I’ll never know why I didn’t become an alcoholic
I like to be left alone
After all I do feel all alone
Often I think of death
And look forward to my last breath
I often think suicide would be a way to go ahead and die
But have not tried, because with my luck I would not die
Try as I might with others to bond
I cannot because of memories I have from across the big pond
The only emotion I have is anger
And to say something to me on one of my real bad days could put you in great danger
I often explode in rage
And it’s not getting any better, I think it may have something to do with age
Most things I cannot remember
But cannot forget the things I wish I did not remember
I go to meetings with others, who have P.T.S.D., every week
I go to find the peace of mind I so dearly seek
My marriage ended in disgust
Because of things I could not discuss
I don’t know if I can cope with much more of this misery and pain
Maybe I should just step in front of a train
Us, others may forget
But us, we will never forget
It's a Shame
A soldier's life is how it must be
So we can remain free
A soldier must do things that are horrible
But you must remember they were put in a situation that is horrible
They must be aware of everything around
And be careful of where they place their feet on the ground
They must not trust anyone that is around
Or they may find themselves blown to bits, laying on the ground
They don't like to everyone distrust
But to survive this is a must
Because of the things they must do, and the ones they must kill
Many a soldier will never be the same, they will for ever be ill
They will do their job no matter how demanding
When they are finished, of their problems, we should be very understanding
So we should sob
Everytime we must ask a soldier to do their job
Copyrighted 7/23/08 Larry R. Southerland
To Help A Child
You never stood as tall, as when you stooped to help a child
And by doing this maybe they will not grow up to be wild
By showing them you care
They will not think of you as a bear
It may take a little of your time
But in the end, it will make you feel fine
It dosen't have to be a thing of labor
It may be as simple,as helping them pick out an ice cream flavor
Remember that time gone by, can not be respent
So use yours with a child, with your best judgement
When it come time for you to go to Heaven, God will check to see what has paid your rent
And I will assure one of the biggest items will be, the helping time with a child you spent
Copyrighted 9/5/08 Larry R. Southerland
Much Deserved Praise
To those who have served, and the ones who now serve
It's time you get the praise you deserve
If not for people like you and me
There's no telling in what condition, this country would be
When you left, your brothers, sisters, wives, mothers, fathers, had to live in fear,
Of what might happen to someone they love so dear
They were oh so proud of you,
You had come to this country's rescue
The pay was lousy, and the days were rough
But you withstood it because you were tough
You had to do things in this war you did not want to do,
But the enemy did not leave the choices up to you
You worry that you don't think of your family and friends as much as you should
But we know you must think mostly of the enemy, as they would kill you if they could
We know you have developed a new family while there
And with them you we will share, after all we cannot be there
You worry how you will be received when you return home
Well most will not know how to say what they feel toward you, but it will show by each flag you see flown, when you return home
We owe you our right to freedom
Now when you return, with all the respect you so well deserve, please feel free to continue your life with all its glory and boredom
Thanks to you we may all rest
And by God, may you be blest
Copyrighted 9/24/08 Larry R. Southerland
What a waste
As I stand here and look into this dead man's face
I don't know what led me to this place
I set and hold him in my arms
He has suffered one of life's greatest harms
He was killed over just a dollar
And in this alley, no one even heard him holler
To most everyone he was just a bumb, who lived in the alley
To me in the war, he was the one who could make the troups ralley
As I sit here and hold him, as all the others pass by
I start to cry
It makes me ashamed to be part of the human race
To all, this event should be a disgrace
Then I hear a voice out of nowhere
There are those of us that care
I look and I stare
But no one is there
The voice says the ones of us he took care of in the war and lead
We will now be honored to take care of him since he's dead
We lead you here to say goodby
To a wonderful guy
Copyrighted 10/15/08 Larry R Southerland